Empowering today’s education community to achieve financial wellness.

Educator's Choice

Founded by Educators, Service to Educators

  • Financial guidance and planning with those who understand educators' needs
  • Personalized service and exclusive benefits
  • You are committed to education and so is Suncoast Credit Union
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Suncoast Credit Union & Educators Choice Mission

Our mission is simple — to improve the quality of our members’ lives by maintaining a strong, secure and innovative credit union. Started by educators – we understand the unique needs of the education community.

Suncoast Credit Union has been in the retirement services business for more than 25 years. We created Educators Choice to provide your union community with exclusive benefits and personal attention from financial planning professionals.

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Exclusive Benefits for FEA Members

FEA members receive exclusive benefits from Suncoast Credit Union:

$100 cash reward* with fee-free** checking account set up with direct deposit.

Bee in the know with access to exclusive events and workshops

Financial Wellness Checkup complete with a complimentary, customized, and comprehensive financial plan.

Complimentary Membership Enrollment for two years in Educators Choice Club Package***, a bundle of services to help enhance your financial security and wellness, as well as your lifestyle. Access to exclusive offers and discounts and more!

Testimonials from Florida Educators

Rob Kriete
President of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association
“I recommend the Educators Choice program because Suncoast provided me clear options for all my financial needs without pressure. Their ability to listen and offer suggestions was amazingly helpful, giving my family and me confidence in our financial future.”
Ken Mouton
President of Collier County Education Association (Teachers Union)
“As president of the Collier County Education Association, I highly recommend the Educators Choice program offered by Suncoast Credit Union. The introduction and implementation of the plan is hassle free. The options and resources offered can be specifically tailored to meet your financial needs. The one-on-one personal touch provided gives my family and me confidence and security in our finances and future retirement.”
Vicki Kidwell
President of Clay County Education Association
“The Educators Choice program is a valuable resource for services that can help our members. I met with Suncoast in several virtual meetings and received clear, sound retirement and investment information that helped me understand how my personal FRS, Social Security and other investments will work together to secure a financially sound retirement. There was no pressure, but lots of expert information that gave me peace of mind for the future.”
Anna Fusco
President, Broward Teachers Union
“I’ve been extremely impressed with the financial and educational opportunities Educators Choice, powered by Suncoast Credit Union provides. They take a very individualized, easy-to-understand approach to financial planning, a topic that honestly intimidates many people. Educators Choice has a very professional and responsive staff. The feedback I’ve received from everyone who has worked with them has been stellar. I’m very grateful we can offer their very necessary and comprehensive financial planning services to our members and staff.”
Stephanie Yocum
President, Polk Education Association
“Sitting down with a trusted financial planner is tedious but crucial, and the Educator’s Choice program through Suncoast Credit Union made the process easy and informative. The plan and projections that our union benefit, Educator’s Choice, provided helped me make sound financial decisions as I plan for retirement and beyond. I highly recommend our members take advantage of this free financial planning program through our union benefits.”

Why Educators Choose Suncoast Credit Union

  • The credit union difference.

Credit unions like Suncoast are not-for-profit, financial cooperatives owned by their members — and they exist specifically to help meet the financial needs of those members. Credit union profits go back to members, which is why they get lower rates on loans, higher earnings on deposits and more free services.

  • A name you know and trust.

Suncoast Credit Union began in 1934 when a handful of local educators founded Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union. Today, we’re proud to be the largest credit union in Florida and are consistently recognized as one of Forbes’ “Best-In-State Credit Unions”.

  • By your side for every stage of life.
We have a foundation and heritage you can trust and a customized approach that meets participants where they are. Wherever life takes you, we’re there to help — with the advice, products, services and personalized attention you need at every turn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to join Suncoast Credit Union and earn a $100 cash reward* when opening a fee-free checking account** with direct deposit.

Getting started is as easy as your A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s. Click here to final a financial professional in your area.

FEA members gain access to financial education, exclusive benefits, workshops and no-cost one-on-one counseling. More information can be found on EducatorsChoice.com. Check out our Learning Library, sign up for an upcoming workshop or get started with a financial professional.

A financial professional can help you:

  1. Focus goals in retirement and how you will pay for them
  2. Address your concerns and expectations for retirement
  3. Identify things that could pose a threat to your retirement and manage them
  4. Feel more educated, confident and in control of your financial future
  5. Help you navigate the complexity of financially moving into retirement

 

Looking to bring the Educators Choice program
to your local union or school site?

The Educators Choice relationship coordinators bring program information and financial wellness opportunities to local union affiliate groups across Florida. To schedule a presentation at your school site, please speak with your union site representative.

Kim Baum
Region: North Florida
kim.baum@suncoastcreditunion.com

Noelle Rodriguez
Region: West/Central Florida
noelle.rodriguez@suncoastcreditunion.com

Maggie Duke
Region: East Florida
maggie.duke@suncoastcreditunion.com

* Offer valid for new memberships and new Smart Checking Account. No minimum balance required to open or maintain Smart Checking account in order to receive the $100 reward. Your Smart Checking will earn 0.01% Annual Percentage Yield and is subject to change. Direct deposit or ACH must be made within 90 days from the date checking account was opened. Payment of cash award is within 7 business days following the direct deposit or ACH. Not to be combined with any other offer. Deposit of $100 may qualify as taxable income and a 1099INT form will be issued reporting the value of this offer. Consult your tax advisor with any questions.

** Please note that should you overdraw your account, there is a fee for insufficient funds that are both Paid Non-sufficient Funds (NSF) and/or Check/ACH debit return unpaid Items.See Fee Schedule at suncoastcreditunion.com for details. Free ATM access is through the CO-OP ATM network.

*** Benefits are available to members of the Florida Educators Association that engage with a Suncoast Credit Union representative for financial education and/or planning services, subject to the terms and conditions for the applicable Benefits. The two year membership becomes effective following online registration. Some Benefits require authentication, registration and/or activation. Benefits are not available to businesses, clubs, trusts, organizations and/or churches and their members, or to schools and their students. Credit Score is a VantageScore 3.0 based on single credit bureau data. Third parties may use a different VantageScore or a different type of credit score to assess your creditworthiness. The descriptions herein are summaries only and do not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the Benefits described. Please refer to the actual Guide to Benefit for complete details of coverage and exclusions. Coverage is provided through the company named in the Guide to Benefit. Package is available for purchase at $3.95 per month for Suncoast Credit Union members. Savings include monthly fees of $3.95 per month for 24 months, total value of $94.80.